A visit with a local honemeister

Greetings all, I just wanted to share my experience last Friday with Randydance. Some of you I'm sure have seen his posts and been helped out as I believe he is not only an active member here but on the other forum sites as well.
When I first started on my straight razor path a few months ago Chris over at B&B made an introduction to me with Randy. After a couple of months of newborn baby syndrome at home I finally had a chance to meet up with him at his home in St. Paul Minnesota. He was gracious enough to invite me over last Friday morning and show me a thing or 12 about honing my straights. Upon early arrival I caught him mid shave with one of those amazing customs made by Joe Chandler. Not only did he hone up a couple of troublesome Dovo's for me but while doing so showed me a small portion of his collection of stones and shavers (200 I think, I lost count of the ones he brought down from upstairs) I have to say sharing first hand knowledge in person made a huge difference in my understanding of techniques from the thumb nail test right down to seeing what an edge should look like under a microscope. I think we spent a good 4 hours going over the seemingly unlimited information available about this lifestyle.

A great BIG thanks Randy, had a wonderful time! And good luck with that special project you have brewing out there in the garage. :)

I shaved yesterday and this morning with the two Dovo's he honed and honestly can say I have had the best two shaves of my life thus far.

Anyone in need of assistance out there sure would benefit greatly with his mentor ship and services.:tu


Thanks again Randy.

Sean

p.s. I am thinking hard about how to help with putting together a local get together with the other active and hopefully some newbies as well here in Minnesota this fall.

Sean, it was good to have you stop over and glad to hear that the razors shaved you well!:) I always hesitate to let a razor go without shave testing it first. My guess is that the carbon steel razor shaved better than the SS. Let me know if I am correct.

Come on over again anytime and maybe you will have time to see the rest of the hones and razors. Next time allow 8 hours!:)